Apparatus for crimping thermosetting fiber

ABSTRACT

Apparatus useful in the textile art adapted to maintain the uniformity of a filament in a crimping facility in which the facility functions to continuously monitor the level of crimped filament therein insuring a filament of uniform quality having predetermined characteristics.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,733,59

Smith 1 -May 22, 1973 [54] APPARATUS FOR CRIMPING 2,960,730 11/1960 Shattuck ..28 17/ 3,579,760 5/1971 Caneer et a1. ..28/1.7

THERMOSETTING FIBER 3,584,357 6/1971 Torello-Viera... ..28/1.7 [75] Inventor: Ashley P. Smith, Asheville, N.C. 3,605,222 9/1971 Cabello ..28/ 1.7

[73] Assignee: Northrop Carolina, lnc., Swan- Primary Examiner Louis K. Rimmdt.

nanoa' Attorney-Harold L. Fox and Willard M. Graham [22] Filed: Apr. 5, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 130,934

Apparatus useful in the textile art adapted to maintain the uniformity of a filament in a crimping facility in 1.8. CI. the facility functions to continuously monitor [51] Int. Cl. ..D02g 1/12 th l v l of crimped filament therein insuring a fila- [58] Field of Search ..28/l .7 ment of uniform quality having predetermined characteristics.

56 i 1 References C 2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,760,252 8/1956 Shattuck ..28/1.7

E'LEC'TR/C POWER IN APPARATUS FOR CRIMPING TI-IERMOSETTING FIBER The present invention pertains to the textile art and more particularly to apparatus for processing (crimping) thermosensitive synthetic fibers or filaments such as nylon, polyester, rayon, acetates etc., the apparatus functioning to maintain the quality of filament in a processing chamber substantially constant thereby providing a filament of uniform quality.

Various types of apparatus have been suggested and are currently in use in the textile art for effecting an operation as outlined above. However, to the best of applicants knowledge apparatus currently in use relies on a maximum-minimum quantity or mass of filament present in the processing chamber of the apparatus, i.e., a winding or withdrawing operation is noticeably accelerated or decelerated as the quantity (mass) of crimped filament present in the processing chamber reaches a maximum or minimum. Apparatus functioning in the latter manner results in broken filaments or filaments of non-uniform quality.

In contrast the apparatus disclosed herein utilizes an electrical current to energize a proximity or reed-type switch which in turn controls an electrical current speeding up or slowing-down devices feeding or withdrawing crimped filament to or from the subject facility. A metallic shield attached to a slug of negligable weight, is urged, in accordance with changes in yarn level in a crimping chamber to a position in which it renders a magnet effective and non-effective to operate an electrical switch. The weight of the aforementioned slug may be increased or decreased, according to the weight filament being processed in the facility at a particular time, or according to the characteristics of the filament desired.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for performing a crimping operation in which the speed of the crimping operation is continuously monitored and changed in accordance with the compacted filament present in the processing chamber.

Another object is to provide apparatus for effecting a crimping operation and in which electrical current controlling the crimping facility is automatically controlled according to the quantity (mass) of filament present in the crimping facility.

Although the characteristic features of the present invention are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, the invention itself, also the manner in which it may be carried out, will be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of the crimping facility as disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 as indicated by the line 22 in the latter figure.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the path of the magnetic field in the current facility.

Referring to the drawing, processing (crimping) apparatus 11 is shown including a cylindrical chamber 12 and assembly 14 functioning to shield a reed-type proximity electrical switch 15. The apparatus 11 includes a heating facility 16, feed or crimping rolls 17 and 18, a source of filament 19 and a receiving spool 21. The heating facility 16 includes one or more heating elements 22 functioning to maintain the temperature of the filament 23 as the latter enters the chamber 12. It

will also be seen that the filament 23 is crimped by the rollers 17 and 18, enters the chamber 12 and is in turn drawn from the top of chamber 12 by the rolls l9 and 25 and stored on spool 21. The switch and magnet 15 and 27, respectively, are mounted in a non-magnetic container 31 which is supported by the bracket 32.

The assembly 14 includes metallic plate-like shield 24 secured to and moving with the slug 26. The external surface of the slug 26 is of cylindrical configuration, of slightly less then the inside diameter of the chamber 12, slides in grooves 29 formed in the wall defining the chamber 12. The slug 26 has an axial passageway 30 formed therein, the diameter of which is greater at the bottom than at the top. The lower diameter of the passageway 30 is approximately 0.8 of the diameter of the slug 26. Accordingly, ironing of the filament 23 is confined to a small area around the inside perimeter of the chamber 12.

Secured to and actuated in response to the height (mass) of crimped filament in chamber 12 is the metal plate-like shield 24. The electric field created by a permanent magnet 27, functions to render the reed-type switch 15 inoperative or off at such time as the element 24 is in its lower position as shown in phantom construction in FIG. 3. When the crimped filament builds-up in the chamber 12 raising the slug 26 urging the shield 24 to its up or on position, shown in solid construction in FIG. 3, it will be seen that the electric field of the magnet 27 is free to act and the switch 15 is rendered operable.

It will be seen that the shield 24 is maintained in position by two guiding pins 28 which pass through elongated slots 29 provided in diametrically opposite positions in the wall of the chamber 12. The shield 24 is also fixedly secured to one of the pins 28 and therefore is responsive to movements of the slug 26.

The components comprising the facility 11 and their relationship having been described, a better understanding thereof will be forthcoming from the following description of its operation.

A filament is fed into the chamber 12 by means of the rollers 17 and 18 where it is crimped. The crimped fiber 23 is urged into the chamber 12 and assumes a configuration substantially as shown in FIG. 1. As the crimped fiber reaches and contacts the slug 26 the latter is elevated to its up or on position substantially as shown in FIG. 1 at which time the shield 24 completely shields the switch 15. Referring to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the magnetic lines of force from the magnet 27 follows the shield 24 and no longer influence the switch 15. The switch 15 remains operable until the slug 26 and shield 24 returns to its down position in which the field of the magnet 27 no longer shields the magnet 15. At the up position a motor, operating the feeding rolls 17 and 18 is energized or deenergized, according to the method of operation. The electric motor is connected to the terminals 33 and 34 of the switch 15.

Also it will be apparent that a very small area of the slug 26 contacts the crimped fiber 23, in other words the crimped fiber is ironed" by an area represented by the lower perimeter surface of the slug 26. Also it can be seen by referring to FIG. 1 that additional slugs (weights) may be added to the weight of the slug 26 if a change in the character of the fiber 23 is desired.

What is claimed is:

mounted outside said chamber adjacent one of said slots,

. a magnet mounted outside said chamber and opposite said reed switch with a space therebetween,

f. shield means extending from said weight means through said slot and into said space between said reed switch and movable with said weight means in accordance with the level of crimped yarn in said chamber to shield and unshield said switch from said magnet to control said feed rolls.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shield means is a plate made of magnetic shielding material. 

1. In combination with a yarn crimper which includes a tubular chamber containing a quantity of crimped yarn, feed rolls feeding yarn into said chamber, and rolls withdrawing crimped yarn from said chamber, means controlling the speed of said feed rolls comprising: a. weight means resting upon said crimped yarn in said chamber, b. a pair of diametrically disposed elongated slots in the wall of said chamber adjacent said weight means, c. guide pins extending from said weight means through said slots, d. a reed switch controlling said feed rolls and mounted outside said chamber adjacent one of said slots, e. a magnet mounted outside said chamber and opposite said reed switch with a space therebetween, f. shield means extending from said weight means through said slot and into said space between said reed switch and movable with said weight means in accordance with the level of crimped yarn in said chamber to shield and unshield said switch from said magnet to control said feed rolls.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shield means is a plate made of magnetic shielding material. 